Integrated storm shutter including latch pin corner connection and/or center louver support rail

Abstract

A shutter having a unitary frame formed by four perimeter rails, each having a receptacle at each of its distal ends, with four connection members, each having structure inserted into and secured within one receptacle of each of two of the perimeter rails. Optionally, a latch pin is movable through a guide hole formed in one of the corner connection members. A further option is louvers extending through a center support.

1. A shutter for protection of building portals against forces exerted by hurricanes, comprising:
 a unitary frame including: 
 four longitudinal rail members, each longitudinal rail member having a pair of opposite distal ends, said four longitudinal rail members are arranged such that one of said four longitudinal rail members is disposed along each side of a rectangular perimeter, such that one distal end of one of said longitudinal rail members substantially abuts one distal end of another of said four longitudinal rail members at a respective vertex of said rectangular perimeter, each longitudinal rail member having a receptacle opening at each of its distal ends and a receptacle extending more than a first distance toward its opposite distal end; and 
 four corner connection members, each located at a respective one of the four vertices of said rectangular perimeter, and each corner connection member having a first projection and a second projection, said first projection extending said first distance into and bonded to a surface of the receptacle of one of said longitudinal rail members and said second projection extending said first distance into and bonded to a surface of the receptacle of an adjacent longitudinal rail member; 
 wherein at least one of said four corner connection members has a latch-pin passage extending through its first projection in its extending direction, said one of said longitudinal rail members comprises an elongated clearance passage from an exterior of said one of said longitudinal rail members to a channel, extending in the direction of said channel, and said adjacent longitudinal rail member comprises a latch pin clearance hole, and further comprising a latch pin extending through and supported by said latch-pin passage; 
 wherein said four corner connection members flex for reducing bending and twisting forces applied to said unitary frame; and 
 a portal covering structure secured to and supported by said unitary frame. 
 
   
   
     2. The shutter according to  claim 1  wherein the channel extends between a first distal end and a second distal end of at least one of said four longitudinal rail members, wherein a first length of said channel forms the receptacle at said first distal end of the at least one of said four longitudinal rail members and a second length of said channel forms the receptacle at the second distal end of said at least one of said four longitudinal rail members. 
   
   
     3. The shutter according to  claim 1 , wherein a first of said longitudinal rail members includes a first longitudinal rail member retaining structure for retaining a first secondary rail member adjacent and parallel to said first longitudinal rail member, and a second of said longitudinal rail members includes a second longitudinal rail member retaining structure for retaining a second secondary rail member adjacent and parallel to said second longitudinal rail member, said first of said longitudinal rail members and said second of said longitudinal rail members forming facing sides of said unitary frame. 
   
   
     4. The shutter according to  claim 3 , further comprising the first secondary rail member constrained adjacent and parallel to said first of said longitudinal rail members by said first longitudinal rail member retaining structure, and the second secondary rail member constrained adjacent and parallel to said second of said longitudinal rail members by said second longitudinal rail member retaining structure, and
 wherein each of said first secondary rail member and said second secondary rail member includes at least one louver-support through hole, and 
 wherein said portal covering structure comprises at least one louver supported at one end by said louver-support through hole formed in said first secondary rail member and supported at its other end by said louver-support through hole formed in said second secondary rail member. 
 
   
   
     5. The shutter according to  claim 4 , wherein a third of said longitudinal rail members includes a retaining structure for retaining a pair of third secondary rail members adjacent and parallel to said third longitudinal rail member, and colinear with respect to one another, and a fourth of said longitudinal rail members includes a retaining structure for retaining a pair of fourth secondary rail members adjacent and parallel to said fourth longitudinal rail member, and colinear with respect to one another, said third longitudinal rail member and said fourth longitudinal rail member forming facing sides of said unitary frame perpendicular to said first and second longitudinal rail members. 
   
   
     6. The shutter according to  claim 4 , further comprising a center louver support rail having at least one louver-support through hole, secured to said unitary frame to extend substantially perpendicular to said at least one louver, and
 wherein said at least one louver passes through said at least one louver-support through hole in the center louver support rail, such that said at least one louver is supported at a location of said at least one louver between a first distal end of said at least one louver and a second distal end of said at least one louver. 
 
   
   
     7. The shutter according to  claim 5 , further comprising a center louver support rail having at least one louver-support through hole, secured to said unitary frame to extend substantially perpendicular to said at least one louver, and
 wherein said at least one louver passes through and is supported by said at least one louver-support through hole in the center louver support rail, such that said at least one louver is supported at a location of said at least one louver between a first distal end of said at least one louver and a second distal end of said at least one louver, and 
 wherein a first distal end of said center louver support rail abuts said third longitudinal rail member and a second distal end of said center louver support rail, opposite said first distal end, abuts said fourth longitudinal rail member, and said center louver support rail is supported from movement in a direction parallel to said louver by said pair of third secondary rail members and said pair of fourth secondary rail members. 
 
   
   
     8. The shutter according to  claim 7 , further comprising a first abutment member engaged with and extending from the first distal end of said center louver support rail, and a second abutment member engaged with and extending from the first distal end of said center louver support rail,
 wherein said center louver support rail is supported, at its first distal end, from movement in a direction parallel to said louver by a first of said pair of third secondary rail members abutting said fourth longitudinal rail member at one end and said first abutment member at its other end, and by a second of said pair of third secondary rail members abutting said second longitudinal rail member at one end and said first abutment member at its other end, and 
 wherein said center louver support rail is supported, at its second distal end, from movement in a direction parallel to said louver by a first of said pair of fourth secondary rail members abutting said fourth longitudinal rail member at one end and said second abutment member at its other end, and by a second of said pair of fourth secondary rail members abutting said second longitudinal rail member at one end and said second abutment member at its other end. 
 
   
   
     9. The shutter according to  claim 1  further comprising:
 a latch pin receiving structure, having a latch pin receptacle, mounted to an exterior wall surface; and 
 a manually rotatable screw having a threaded shaft extending through said elongated clearance passage and threadably engaged with said latch pin, with a manual contact structure exterior to said adjacent longitudinal rail member, 
 wherein tightening said manually rotatable screw substantially prevents motion of said latch pin in the extending direction of said latch pin passage, and wherein loosening said manually rotatable screw allows movement of said latch pin from an extended position in which it extends though said latch pin passage, through said latch pin clearance hole and into said latch pin receptacle, to a retracted position wherein the latch pin does not extend into said latch pin receptacle. 
 
   
   
     10. The shutter according to  claim 1  wherein each of the distal ends of said four longitudinal rail members has a substantially 45 degree mitered surface, and wherein at least one of said four corner connection members and said receptacles of at least two of said four longitudinal rail members are constructed and arranged such that when said mitered surface at one distal end of one of said at least two longitudinal rail members abuts said mitered surface at one distal end of another of said at least two longitudinal rail members, the first projection of said at least one of said four corner connection members extends said first distance into the receptacle at said one distal end of said one of said at least two longitudinal rail members, and the second projection of said at least one of said four corner connection members extends said first distance into the receptacle at said one distal end of said another of said longitudinal rail members. 
   
   
     11. The shutter according to  claim 4 , wherein the retaining structure of said first longitudinal rail member is a U-shaped channel, extending the length of said first longitudinal rail member, formed of an exterior wall of said first longitudinal rail member and a pair of lateral walls extending parallel to one another, in a direction away from the exterior wall, with a first ridge extending along the distal edge of a first of said pair of lateral walls, and a second ridge extending along the distal edge of a second of said pair of lateral walls, the distance between opposing faces of said pair of lateral walls being greater than a width of said first secondary rail member, and the distance between said first ridge and said second ridge being less than said width of said first secondary rail member. 
   
   
     12. The shutter according to  claim 11 , wherein all of said four longitudinal rail members have the same cross-section. 
   
   
     13. The shutter according to  claim 11 , wherein all of said four longitudinal rail members first have the same outer cross-sectional dimensions. 
   
   
     14. The shutter according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of said four corner connection members has its first projection extending substantially perpendicular to its second projection. 
   
   
     15. The shutter according to  claim 14  wherein at least one of said four corner connection members is an L-shaped structure, with said first projection and said second projection extending substantially perpendicular from a common junction member to form an L shape. 
   
   
     16. The shutter of  claim 1 , wherein the latch pin passes through a latch pin receiver mounted exterior to said shutter, wherein the latch pin receiver comprises a camel bracket with two side plates and a through hole in one of the two side plates for receiving an end of the latch pin. 
   
   
     17. The shutter of  claim 1 , wherein said four corner connection members comprise a plurality of longitudinal grooves separated by a plurality of lands on at least one surface of at least one of said four corner connection members, wherein the plurality of lands corresponds to a plurality of grooves within a corresponding one of said longitudinal rail members. 
   
   
     18. A shutter for protection of building portals against forces exerted by hurricanes comprising:
 a first outer frame member extending between a first distal end and a second distal end, and having a first receptacle at said first distal end and a second receptacle at said second distal end; 
 a first frame corner connection member, having a first projection secured within said first receptacle of said first outer frame member, and having a second projection; 
 a second frame corner connection member, having a first projection secured within said second receptacle of said first outer frame member, and having a second projection; 
 a second outer frame member extending between a first distal end and a second distal end, having a first receptacle at said first distal end receiving and secured around said second projection of said first frame corner connection member, and having a second receptacle at said second distal end; 
 a third outer frame member extending between a first distal end and a second distal end, having a first receptacle at said first distal end receiving and secured around said second projection of said second frame corner connection member, and having a second receptacle at said second distal end; 
 a third frame corner connection member, having a first projection secured within said second receptacle of said second outer frame member, and having a second projection; 
 a fourth frame corner connection member, having a first projection secured within said second receptacle of said third outer frame member, and having a second projection; 
 a fourth outer frame member extending between a first distal end and a second distal end, having a first receptacle at said first distal end receiving and secured around said second projection of said third frame corner connection member, and having a second receptacle at said second distal end receiving and secured around said second projection of said fourth frame corner connection member; 
 wherein at least one of said first, second, third and fourth corner connection members has a latch-pin passage extending through its first projection in its extending direction, a corresponding one of said first, second, third and fourth corner connection members further comprises an elongated clearance passage from an exterior of said corresponding outer frame member extending in an extending direction of the corresponding outer frame member, and another one of said first, second, third and fourth corner connection members includes a latch pin clearance hole, and further comprising a latch pin extending through and supported by said latch-pin passage; 
 wherein the latch pin passes through a latch pin receiver mounted exterior to a frame comprising the first, second, third and fourth outer frame members, wherein the latch pin receiver comprises a camel bracket with two side plates and a through hole in one of the two side plates for receiving an end of the latch pin; and 
 wherein said first, second, third and fourth corner connection members flex for reducing bending and twisting forces applied to said shutter. 
 
   
   
     19. The shutter according to  claim 18 , wherein said first outer frame member includes a plurality of first louver-support receptacles spaced apart from one another along said first axis,
 said fourth outer frame member includes a plurality of second louver-support receptacles facing and in alignment with said plurality of first louver-support receptacles, and 
 a portal-covering structure comprising a plurality of louver members, each louver member having a first distal end projecting into and supported by a corresponding one of said first louver support receptacles and a second distal end opposite its first distal end projecting into and supported by a corresponding one of said second louver support receptacles. 
 
   
   
     20. The shutter according to  claim 18  wherein at least said first frame corner connection member has its first projection extending substantially perpendicular to its second projection. 
   
   
     21. The shutter according to  claim 20  wherein at least said first frame corner connection member is an L-shaped structure, with said first projection and said second projection extending substantially perpendicular from a common junction member to form an L shape. 
   
   
     22. The shutter of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of said first second, third and fourth corner connection members comprises a plurality of longitudinal grooves separated by a plurality of lands on at least one surface of at least one of said first, second, third and fourth corner connection members, wherein the plurality of lands corresponds to a plurality of grooves within the first, second, third and fourth outer frame members. 
   
   
     23. A shutter for protection of building portals against forces exerted by hurricanes, comprising:
 a rectangular frame structure having a first pair of perimeter rails parallel to and spaced apart from one another, and a second pair of perimeter rails parallel to and spaced apart from one another and perpendicular to the first pair of perimeter rails, said first pair of perimeter rails secured to said second pair of perimeter rails, wherein each of the first pair of perimeter rails includes a plurality of louver support receptacles arranged such that the plurality of louver support receptacles included in one of the first pair of perimeter rails faces and is aligned with the plurality of louver support receptacles included in the other of the first pair of perimeter rails; 
 a center louver support rail extending parallel to the first pair of perimeter rails, having one of its distal ends secured to a first of said second pair of perimeter rails, and the other of its distal ends secured to the other of said second pair of perimeter rails, wherein said center louver support rail includes a plurality of louver support through holes; 
 a plurality of louvers, each of said plurality of louvers having a first of its distal ends extending into and supported by a corresponding one of said plurality of louver support receptacles formed in said one of said first pair of perimeter rails, the other of its distal ends extending into and supported by a corresponding one of said plurality of louver support receptacles formed in the other of said first pair of perimeter rails, and extending through a corresponding one of said plurality of louver support through holes formed in said center louver support rail; and 
 wherein each of said plurality of louvers is supported by the center louver support rail but is not welded to the center louver support rail for increasing the strength of said plurality of louvers with respect to airborne objects. 
 
   
   
     24. The shutter of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 four frame corner connection members having a first projection secured within a receptacle of one of said first pair of perimeter rails, and having a second projection secured within a receptacle of one of said second pair of perimeter rails, wherein the four frame corner connection members have a plurality of lands separated by a plurality of grooves complementary to a plurality of lands and a plurality of grooves within the first pair of perimeter rails and the second pair of perimeter rails; 
 wherein at least one of the said four frame corner connection members has a latch-pin passage extending through the first projection in its extending direction, a corresponding one of said pairs of perimeter rails further comprises an elongated clearance passage from an exterior of said corresponding one of said pairs of perimeter rails extending in an extending direction of the corresponding one of said pairs of perimeter rails, and a second one of said pairs of perimeter rails includes a latch pin clearance hole, and further comprising a latch pin extending through and supported by said latch-pin passage. 
 
   
   
     25. The shutter of  claim 24 , wherein said four frame corner connection members flex for reducing bending and twisting forces applied to said rectangular frame. 
   
   
     26. The shutter of  claim 24 , wherein the latch pin is adapted to pass through a latch pin receiver mounted exterior to said rectangular frame, wherein the latch pin receiver comprises a camel bracket with two side plates and a through hole in one of the two side plates for receiving an end of the latch pin. 
   
   
     27. The shutter of  claim 24 , wherein at least one of said four frame corner connection members comprise a plurality of longitudinal grooves separated by a plurality of lands on at least one surface of at least one of said corner connection member, wherein the plurality of lands corresponds to a plurality of grooves within said first pair of perimeter rails and said second pair of perimeter rails. 
   
   
     28. A shutter for protection of building portals against forces exerted by hurricanes, comprising:
 a rectangular frame structure having a first pair of perimeter rails parallel to and spaced apart from one another, and a second pair of perimeter rails parallel to and spaced apart from one another and perpendicular to the first pair of perimeter rails, said first pair of perimeter rails secured to said second pair of perimeter rails with L-shaped corner connection members, wherein the L-shaped corner connection members comprise a plurality of longitudinal grooves separated by a plurality of lands on at least one surface of the L-shaped corner connection member, wherein the plurality of lands corresponds to a plurality of grooves within the first pair of perimeter rails and the second pair of perimeter rails; 
 wherein the L-shaped corner connection members flex for reducing bending and twisting forces applied to said rectangular frame; 
 wherein at least one of said first pair of perimeter rails includes a latch pin guide extending in the direction of said at least one of said first pair of perimeter rails and at least one of said second pair of perimeter rails includes a latch pin clearance hole aligned with said latch pin guide; and 
 a latch pin supported by and movable within said latch pin guide, in said direction between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein, in said extended position a distal portion of latch pin extends through said latch pin clearance hole to protrude outward from said rectangular frame. 
 
   
   
     29. The shutter of  claim 28 , wherein said at least one of said first pair of perimeter rails including said latch pin guide comprises a hollow member surrounding and supporting said latch pin guide, and wherein said latch pin guide includes a latch pin support through hole dimensioned and arranged to accommodate and support said latch pin in moving between said extended and retracted position. 
   
   
     30. The shutter of  claim 29 , wherein an elongated slot extends in a depth direction from an outer surface of said hollow member of said at least one of said first pair of perimeter rails having said latch pin guide into said latch pin support through hole, and has a slot length extending in the direction that said latch pin moves from said extended position to said retracted position comprises a hollow member, and has a slot width, further comprising:
 a manual actuator member connected to said latch pin and extending outward, in a direction radial with respect to the direction that said latch pin moves from said extended position to said retracted position, through said slot, and having a manual contact surface above said slot. 
 
   
   
     31. The shutter of  claim 28 , wherein the latch pin is adapted to pass through a latch pin receiver mounted exterior to said rectangular frame, wherein the latch pin receiver comprises a camel bracket with two side plates and a through hole in one of the two side plates for receiving an end of the latch pin. 
   
   
     32. A shutter for protection of building portals against forces exerted by hurricanes, comprising:
 a rectangular frame structure having a first pair of perimeter rails parallel to and spaced apart from one another, and a second pair of perimeter rails parallel to and spaced apart from one another and perpendicular to the first pair of perimeter rails, said first pair of perimeter rails secured to said second pair of perimeter rails, wherein each of the first pair of perimeter rails includes a plurality of louver support receptacles arranged such that the plurality of louver support receptacles included in one of the first pair of perimeter rails faces and is aligned with the plurality of louver support receptacles included in the other of the first pair of perimeter rails; 
 a center louver support rail extending parallel to the first pair of perimeter rails, having one of its distal ends secured to a first of said second pair of perimeter rails, and the other of its distal ends secured to the other of said second pair of perimeter rails, wherein said center louver support rail includes a plurality of louver support through holes; 
 a plurality of louvers, each of said plurality of louvers having a first of its distal ends extending into and supported by a corresponding one of said plurality of louver support receptacles formed in said one of said first pair of perimeter rails, the other of its distal ends extending into and supported by a corresponding one of said plurality of louver support receptacles formed in the other of said first pair of perimeter rails, and extending through a corresponding one of said plurality of louver support through holes formed in said center louver support rail; 
 wherein each of said plurality of louvers is supported by the center louver support rail but is not welded to the center louver support rail for increasing the strength of said plurality of louvers with respect to airborne objects; 
 four frame corner connection members having a first projection secured within a receptacle of one of said first pair of perimeter rails, and having a second projection secured within a receptacle of one of said second pair of perimeter rails, wherein the four frame corner connection members have a plurality of lands separated by a plurality of grooves complementary to a plurality of lands and a plurality of grooves within the first pair of perimeter rails and the second pair of perimeter rails; 
 wherein at least one of the said four frame corner connection members has a latch-pin passage extending through the first projection in its extending direction, a corresponding one of said pairs of perimeter rails further comprises an elongated clearance passage from an exterior of said corresponding one of said pairs of perimeter rails extending in an extending direction of the corresponding one of said pairs of perimeter rails, and a second one of said pairs of perimeter rails includes a latch pin clearance hole, and further comprising a latch pin extending through and supported by said latch-pin passage; 
 a latch pin receiving structure, having a latch pin receptacle, mounted to an exterior wall surface; 
 a manually rotatable screw having a threaded shaft extending through said elongated clearance passage and threadably engaged with said latch pin, with a manual contact structure exterior to said second pair of perimeter rails; 
 wherein tightening said manually rotatable screw substantially prevents motion of said latch pin in the extending direction of said latch pin passage, and wherein loosening said manually rotatable screw allows movement of said latch pin from an extended position in which it extends though said latch pin passage, through said latch pin clearance hole and into said latch pin receptacle, to a retracted position wherein the latch pin does not extend into said latch pin receptacle; 
 wherein said four frame corner connection members flex for reducing bending and twisting forces applied to said shutter; and 
 wherein said center louver support rail is an I-frame comprising a center wall, four flanges, and ridges protruding from at least one interior surface of one of said four flanges and extending the length of said I-frame. 
 
   
   
     33. The shutter of  claim 32 , wherein the latch pin passes through a latch pin receiver mounted exterior to said shutter, wherein the latch pin receiver comprises a camel bracket with two side plates and a through hole in one of the two side plates for receiving an end of the latch pin.